Sreenidi Deccan FC preserved their second place in the table after a goalless draw with Real Kashmir FC in their I-League match at the TRC Stadium on Thursday.
Deccan now have 17 points from nine matches, while the Kashmir side slid to fourth with 14 points from eight matches.
A good result was mandatory for Deccan after their 1-2 defeat in their last match against table-toppers Mohammedan Sporting.
Accordingly, Deccan made four changes to the starting line-up and one of those — midfielder Ibrahim Sissoko — had the first chance of the match in the fifth minute.
But his volley off a lofted ball from Lalbiakliana did not trouble the Kashmir goalkeeper.
The next to try his luck from distance was winger Rilwan Hassan who cut in from the left and unleashed his effort but the outcome was similar.
At the other end, Kashmir almost broke the deadlock with a thunderous shot from outside the box but Deccan goalkeeper Albino Gomes dived to his left to tip it over the bar.
The second half was even tighter as chances were few and far between.
Substitute David Castaneda of Deccan had two of those as his first effort was smothered from close range by the goalkeeper while later a header was off target in the closing stages of the match.
Kashmir almost let the match slip in stoppage time as Jagdeep Singh’s cross from the right thudded onto the crossbar.
Aizawl Rout TRAU
Under blinding rain, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia and Joe Zoherliana scored a brace each to help Aizawl FC blow away TRAU FC 5-1 in an I-League match at the Kalyani Stadium in West Bengal on Thursday, December 7, 2023. TRAU’s Gerard Williams scored an own goal, while Robinson Singh Soraisam had opened the scoring for the Imphal-based side.
The emphatic victory took Aizawl to the fifth spot in the points table. After eight matches, they have 14 points, including four wins, two draws and losses each. TRAU, on the other hand, are still in search of their first win and are languishing at the bottom spot in the standings. Out of eight matches, they have lost seven and drawn once.
Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia has been the star of Aizawl’s I-League campaign this season and he shone against TRAU as well. With his twin strikes on Thursday, his goal tally now reads eight. The Aizawl striker is the second-highest scorer in the league behind Gokulam Kerala’s Alex Sanchez, who has nine goals to his name.
It was TRAU, though, who had taken the lead at the Kalyani Stadium in the 13th minute. Deepak Singh floated in a cross from the right and Robinson timed his jump to perfection to head home.
But Aizawl came roaring back into the game and how! They earned a penalty in the 15th minute when Moirangthem Malemnganba’s sliding tackle took down Zoherliana inside the box. The referee Tanmoy immediately pointed to the spot and Lalrinzuala calmly converted the chance to help Aizawl draw level.
Aizawl turned things around and took the lead seven minutes later. It was Zoherliana again who set up the goal. The full back made a darting run on the right, skipping a TRAU defender skilfully, before sending in a low cross. TRAU goalkeeper Nora Fernandes came off his line to collect the ball but Lalrinzuala beat him to it. The forward used a deft touch to slot the ball past the goalkeeper to score his second.
Aizawl FC were gifted their third goal by TRAU defence. Despite the heavy outfield due to incessant rains, Aizawl were moving the ball nicely. It was one such movement that helped them extend their lead. Lalrinzuala tried to lay it for Lalbiakdika at the edge of the TRAU penalty box but Williams attempted to intervene. In the process of intercepting the pass, the TRAU defender turned the ball into his own net.
Aizawl scored their fourth goal from another set piece. R Ramdinthara swirled in a corner from the right and the ball landed at the feet of Zoherliana, who showed immense composure to find the back of the net.
Aizawl piled on TRAU misery further when Zoherliana added his second and his side’s fifth in the 57th minute. Aizawl played quite a few passes to build the attack before Lalbiakdika passed the final ball to Zoherliana, who made a swift turn and slotted the ball home to seal the match.
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